Paris Air Show: Experts expect sector growth to be outside Europe and US

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Europe

Moving to France now, where the annual Paris Air Show is continuing. Every two years, Europe's busiest private airport, Paris-Le-Bourget, is transformed into a giant shopping mall for airplanes, aerospace and military innovations. CGTN's Stefan de Vries reports.

Visitors from all over the world, many of them in uniform, are discovering the newest trends, on the ground and in the sky. But dark clouds are appearing above the fair.

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "The mood at this year's Paris Air Show is gloomy. Worldwide trade tensions, geopolitical insecurity, and struggling economies have dampened the expectations at the world's largest air show."

The industry has been shaken by the problems at Boeing. The American aircraft manufacturer is struggling getting its 737 Max back in the air, after two deadly crashes within six months.

In the near future, industry insiders say they expect the real growth to come from outside Europe and the US.

JOHN SCHMIDT, HEAD GLOBAL AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE, ACCENTURE "If we look at what's driving kind of passenger growth, it's coming out of Asia and to some degree the Middle East, and there seems to be no signs of that slowing down."

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "Exhibitors from all over the world are showing their latest technology, like this airplane from the Japanese Defense Force for instance."

There is also a strong presence from China. 19 companies are presenting their latest innovations. The Chinese Aircraft manufacturer AVIC has one of the biggest stands at the show, displaying a full-size model of a cockpit and models of their complete ranges of military and civil aircraft.

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "This weekend the Paris Air Show will be open for the general public. About 300,000 visitors are expected to come to see the latest in military and aerospace technology. This is Stefan de Vries at Le Bourget Airport Paris for CGTN."